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Downtown Seattle consists of a handful of interesting neighborhoods as well as important cultural and historical attractions.
Pioneer Square in Downtown Seattle
Pioneer Square is the neighborhood where the city was born. It sits in the southwest corner of Downtown Seattle. Today, you’ll find several historic and cultural attractions along with beautiful architecture. There are no definite boundaries, but I’ve marked the rough boundaries on the map at the end of this post.
Settled in 1852, Henry Yesler (1810-1892) chose the site to build his lumber mill. The buildings in the area were heavily damaged in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the area south of Yesler Way was full of parlor houses, saloons, hash dens, and brothels. It was known as “skid row“, after the path where timber workers skidded logs. The term permanently entered the American English vernacular to refer to a disreputable impoverished urban area.
The Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, dating back to the 1890s, was saved from demolition by preservationists such as Bill Speidel (1912-1988) and Victor Steinbrueck (1911-1985) in the 1960s. You’ll see many of these buildings along 1st Avenue and Yesler Way. The State Hotel Building on 1st Avenue still has a sign that advertises rooms for 75¢.
Pioneer Park
Within Pioneer Park, at the corner of 1st and Yesler, you’ll find a Tlingit totem pole. The original was stolen from the tribe in 1899 and destroyed by an arsonist in 1938. The Tlingit tribe then carved a new one and gifted it to the city after they were reimbursed for the original totem pole.
A cast iron Victorian pergola designed by architect Julian F. Everett (1869-1955) was used as a cable car waiting station. It was erected on the southwest corner of the park in 1909 and was in use until the late 1940s. The pergola was restored in 1972 and rebuilt entirely in 2001. It measures 60 feet (18 meters) long and 16 feet (4.9 meters) high, and once featured an underground public bathroom.
Also in the park is a bust of Chief Seattle (c. 1780-1866), for whom the city is named. It was placed there in 1909 along with the pergola.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
If you want to learn more about Seattle’s origins, Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is an entertaining walk through history. The tour is named for Bill Speidel (1912-1988), a journalist and preservationist who started the tours in 1965. He helped save the Pioneer Square historic district from demolition.
You can buy tickets online or at the office at Pioneer Park. They cost US$22 for adults; US$20 for seniors 60+, and college students with a valid ID, and kids age 13-17; US$10 for kids age 7-12, and free for kids under 7 (as of January 2025). Tours last about 75 minutes. The company also offers an adults only Underworld Tour through the former Red Light District and the Underground Paranormal Experience.
The Tour
The tour begins in the basement of a building on Pioneer Park where a guide tells you how Seattle was founded and about the three most important men during the city’s beginnings. The guide talks about the origins of the Pioneer Square area in 1852, problems with tides and plumbing, and the giant hill that once looked down on the square.
From there, you walk up to street level to get to the first tunnel, where you hear some interesting stories about how the city rebuilt after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 – 22 feet above the previous level. Probably the biggest highlight is a historic bank teller window said to be haunted.
After going back above ground, you’ll see a skylight installed in the modern sidewalks to let in natural light. You’re then escorted back down another tunnel to a large room with some pictures of old Seattle before the fire.
Also in that room is the wall of the old Cavalier Inn. A cutout in the wall opens to a bathroom from old Seattle. Inside is the original toilet and sink. There’s also an antique bathtub nearby.
Overall, we really enjoyed the tour. It added a lot to our time in the city and it was a fun way to learn local history. You have to use your imagination down there, but the guide’s humorous take on history makes it worthwhile.
Crapper Toilet
Before leaving, check out the original Thomas Crapper toilet, which was brought back from England by Bill Spiedel in 1985. Although Crapper (1836-1910), a sanitary engineer, didn’t invent the toilet, he made significant improvements to the plumbing system and popularized installation in homes.
Smith Tower
The 38-story Smith Tower is Seattle’s first skyscraper. It opened on July 4, 1914, as the tallest building outside New York City. Construction of the building, located on Yesler Way a block east of Pioneer Park, was funded by Lyman Smith (1850-1910) from the Smith-Corona company.
It’s possible to take a guided or self-guided tour of the building. Guided tours are available Wednesday through Saturday while you can take a self-guided tour daily starting at noon. Admission for a self-guided tour, is US$10 for anyone over the age of 5 (as of January 2025). Guided tours last about 45 minutes and cost US$26 for visitors age 14-64, US$24 for seniors and military personnel, US$22 for students and kids age 5-13, and free for kids under 5 (as of January 2025). Both tour options include access to the bar and observatory. Tickets can be purchased online or in person two doors down from the main lobby.
Self-Guided Tour
We decided to take a self-guided tour when we visited Smith Tower. After buying tickets, we watched a short film and then went through a fun interactive museum about the building’s history. Visitors can explore stories about real people who once occupied Smith Tower and see the original telephone switchboard.
From there, it’s a long ride up the building’s original elevator to the 35th floor. An elevator operator dressed in period costume cracks jokes about having a day full of “ups and downs”. The ride takes longer than a modern elevator, and you can see the floors as you go up. Finally, after a big jolt, you arrive at the Observatory.
The elevator opens to the Observatory Bar and the Chinese Room, which was inspired by a speakeasy. The tower played a major role in the illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition.
The Observatory surrounds the exterior of the building in a steel cage. It can get windy out there, so be careful! You might want to take a jacket as well.
From the Observatory, you can spot several Seattle landmarks such as the Space Needle, Columbia Center, stadiums, and a good look at the International District. I actually preferred the views at Smith Tower to the ones at the Space Needle and Columbia Center.
Occidental Park
To the south is Occidental Park, which is the heart of the arts district in Downtown Seattle. It was created in 1971 and was the former location of the Carrollton Hotel, which was demolished in 1956. The Waterfront Streetcar once ran through the park between May 29, 1982, and November 18, 2005.
The Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial, on the southeast corner, is dedicated to the memory of four firefighters who died on January 5, 1995, fighting a fire in the International District. It was created by sculptor Hai Ying Wu.
In the park, you can find some public sculptures as well as the ivy-covered building that was once the Grand Central Hotel (1889). Walking down the pedestrianized Occidental Avenue South, there are art galleries, cafés, and wine tasting rooms.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
A block east on Jackson Street is the old Cadillac Hotel, built in 1889. It’s now the permanent home of the Seattle unit of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which features a visitors center with an excellent museum. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and admission is free (as of January 2025).
The exhibits tell the story of how Seattle played a major part in the Klondike Gold Rush. Between 1896 and 1899, a publicity campaign run by journalist Erastus Brainerd (1855-1922) attracted prospectors to the city from all over the world. Once in Seattle, they purchased supplies before traveling to the Yukon, making several local outfitters rich in the process.
Chinatown-International District in Downtown Seattle
The Chinatown-International District consists of three smaller neighborhoods: Chinatown, Japantown and Little Saigon. It has a high concentration of businesses owned by people of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese descent while the majority of residents are of Chinese ancestry.
The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Seattle in the 1850s and the first Chinatown was on the waterfront where the Chinese dock workers lived. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 slowed growth of the community, and they were mostly driven out by white citizens in 1886. After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the second Chinatown sprung up along Washington St. and Second Avenue South.
The third and current Chinatown developed due to the construction of Smith Tower and rising real estate values in the second Chinatown. Japanese immigrants started to arrive at the end of the 19th century, followed by Filipinos in the 1920s and Vietnamese after the Fall of Saigon in 1975.
Today, you’ll find some great places to eat and shop, as well as a fantastic museum. To get to the International District, you can take the Link light rail. It’s also a short walk from Pioneer Square. You know you’re in the International District when you see dragons on utility poles and Chinese characters on street signs.
Union Station
Union Station, which was built between 1910 and 1911 to serve Union Pacific Railroad, is on the west end of the International District. You’ll likely pass it if you’re walking from Pioneer Square. Passenger train service stopped in 1971 and the building remained empty for nearly 30 years. These days, it’s the headquarters of Sound Transit and the grand hall is rented out for private events.
Historic Chinatown Gate
At King Street and 5th Avenue, you’ll find the Historic Chinatown Gate, erected in 2007. It stands 45 feet (14 meters) and marks the west end of Chinatown. It was designed by Paul Wu and Ming Zhang and contains 8,000 ceramic tiles made in southern China.
Hing Hay Park
Along King Street is Hing Hay Park, which was dedicated in 1973. It features a pavilion donated by the mayor of Taipei in the 1975. There are also community games and two gateways.
Bush Hotel
On Jackson Street is the former Bush Hotel. It was constructed in 1915 by William Chappell and designed by J. L. McCauley. Chappell named it after his wife, Margaret Busch Chappell, and intended it to be the grandest hotel west of Chicago. It featured a granite and mahogany registration desk, a phone paging system for guests, running water in every room, and two elevators. There was also natural light and air in every room.
The side of the building advertises low rates and that it’s modern and fireproof. That would have been important after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The building was purchased by the Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority in 1978 and converted a low-income housing project with commercial space on the ground floor.
Wing Luke Museum
The highlight of the International District is the excellent Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. It documents the experiences and struggles of Asian Pacific Americans. The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and is named for Wing Luke (1925-1965), a Chinese-American politician who tragically died in a plane crash in 1965. It moved to its current location in 2008.
Admission to the Wing Luke Museum is US$17 for adults, US$15 for seniors 62+, US$12.50 for kids age 12-18 or students with a valid ID, US$10 for kids age 5-12, and free for kids under 5 (as of January 2025). It’s open Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. Admission includes a guided tour to areas accessible by tour only.
Temporary Exhibits
We first enjoyed a temporary exhibit on Bruce Lee (1940-1973), who moved to Seattle in 1959 and later attended the University of Washington. Next was another temporary exhibit about Asian Pacific American beverages and how they can help shape a community.
Upstairs, we visited a temporary modern art exhibit that exposed the “absurdity of war”. There were several haunting pieces.
Permanent Exhibit
Across the hall is the permanent exhibit, Honoring Our Journey, focusing on the Asian Pacific American immigrant and refugee experience. It touches upon work, home life, religion, and struggles such as Japanese internment.
The community portrait galleries focus on the Vietnamese, Filipino, Pacific Islander, Cambodian, and Indian communities. The section on the Killing Fields in Cambodia is especially moving, with haunting photos of prisoners.
East Kong Yick Building
Before leaving the museum, we took the guided tour, which is included with admission. It goes through several rooms of the East Kong Yick Building, including a historic hotel, a Chinese American family association meeting room and mahjong room, an apartment belonging to a local woman, and an import shop dating back to 1910. The tour took 45 minutes and the docent was very knowledgable. We highly recommend sticking around for the tour.
Columbia Center
Columbia Center, located in the central business district of downtown Seattle, is the city’s tallest building. It was designed by architect Chester Lindsey (1927-2003) and built by real estate developer Martin Selig (b. 1936). Groundbreaking took place in 1982 and it opened on March 2, 1985. The 76-story building is 933 feet (284 meters) high. It’s mostly used for office space, but there’s retail space on the ground floors.
Sky View Observatory
On the 73rd floor you can visit the Sky View Observatory. General admission starts at US$25 (as of January 2025) with additional experiences available. It’s open Thursday through Sunday.
A model of the building as well as details about its history and construction were present, as was information about landmarks and mountains visible from the observatory on a clear day.
Because we visited on a rainy day, visibility was quite low. We were still able to spot several Seattle landmarks, such as the Space Needle, International District, and St. James Cathedral.
St. James Cathedral
St. James Cathedral, one of Seattle’s most beautiful churches, is in the First Hill neighborhood of Downtown Seattle. It’s just a few blocks east of Columbia Center. This Catholic church was built between 1905 and 1907 and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Construction was spearheaded by Bishop Edward O’Dea (1856-1932). The cathedral once featured a 60-foot dome that collapsed on February 2, 1916, but was never rebuilt.
Of particular interest on the exterior are the stained glass windows created by Charles Connick (1875-1945) and installed between 1917 and 1920. Bronze doors by German sculptor Ulrich Henn were added in 1999. The black and gilt window above the doors dates to 1950 and celebrates the region’s industries: fishing, shipping, lumber, and manufacturing.
Inside, the relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917), who worshipped at the cathedral during her time in Seattle, are sealed under the altar. The organ in the west gallery was installed by E. M. Skinner in 1907. Another organ was added to the east apse in 1926.
Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle
Pike Place Market opened on August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continuously operated farmers’ markets in the country. It’s the most visited tourist attraction in the city and is located northwest of the central business district. The founding goal of the market is to allow shoppers to “meet the producer”.
At the market, it’s possible to find not only fishmongers and fruit and vegetable stands, but also unique shops selling antiques, books, crafts, artwork, and much more. Lots of people go expecting to see fish tossed across stalls before being packed.
You may or may not see fish flying through the air, but the colors of the fruits and vegetables easily catch the eye. There are also some food vendors that look like they cooked up some delicious treats.
Personally, I felt Pike Place Market was a major tourist trap. It wasn’t what I was expecting from a historic farmers’ market. Also, just about everything seemed way overpriced except for the flowers. One positive is the variety of restaurants across from the main market building and scattered throughout the area.
Starbucks Mother Store
The Starbucks mother store is across from the main market building. It has been there since 1976. The line was halfway down the block otherwise we would’ve popped in for a look.
Victor Steinbrueck Park
North of the market is Victor Steinbrueck Park, named after the architect (1911-1985) who played a major part in preserving Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square. The land was purchased by the city in 1968 and sits on the former site of an armory. A totem pole designed by Steinbrueck sits in the park.
Belltown, Downtown Seattle
The Belltown neighborhood makes up the north side of Downtown Seattle and contains a couple interesting attractions. It’s the most densely populated area of the city and is full of restaurants, nightclubs, warehouses, and art galleries. The neighborhood is named for William Nathaniel Bell (1817-1887), who once owned the land on which it sits.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park is a public park affiliated with the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). It was once a contaminated industrial site, but the Seattle Art Museum transformed it into a green space to display public art. It opened in 2007. Admission is free and the park is open 365 days a year. It’s located near the waterfront and a short walk from Seattle Center.
The main building is the PACCAR Pavilion. Inside, there’s a snack bar and seating area and it’s often used as an event venue.
A path through the park leads to a stairway at the end of Broad Street. Along the path are about 20 works of art. The most prominent is Eagle by Alexander Calder (1898-1976), which was dedicated in 1974 and originally stood in Fort Worth, Texas. Another that caught my eye is a stainless steel tree called Split (2003) by Roxy Paine.
Across the bridge, which is an art installation called Seattle Cloud Cover (Teresita Fernández, 2006), there are stairs down to a small plaza near the waterfront. There, you can see a fountain called Father and Son (2005) and Eye Benches I, II and III (1996-97), both by Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010). There’s also a giant head called Echo (2011) by Jaume Plensa, who designed Crown Fountain in Millennium Park in Chicago.
Pier 70
Next to the stairs is Pier 70, which has been converted into office and retail space with restaurants. It was the location of the house for The Real World: Seattle (1998).
